Fire detector

Abstract

The present invention aims to easily attach a sensor body to a sensor base installed at a high location. [Solution] A fire detector according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a detector base and a detector body detachably attached to the detector base, wherein the detector base has an electromagnet and the detector body has a permanent magnet, and when the detector body approaches the detector base, an electric current flows through the electromagnet and attracts the permanent magnet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire detector provided with a detector base and a detector body based on a sensor.

Background Art

[0002] As a general fire detector, there is one formed by a detector base fixed to a ceiling or the like and a detector body attached to the detector base. In such a fire detector, as shown in Patent Document 1, the detector body has a blade fitting and a contact spring, and the detector base has a blade receiving fitting. Then, by pressing and rotating the detector body below the detector base fixed to the ceiling or the like, the blade fitting - contact spring and the blade receiving fitting are engaged, and the detector body is attached to the detector base. Also, by rotating the detector body in the reverse direction, the detector body can be removed from the detector base.

[0003] As described above, when removing or attaching the detector body to / from the detector base, it is necessary to hold and rotate the detector body by hand of an operator. Therefore, when removing, inspecting, or replacing a detector body installed at a high place, it was necessary to set up a scaffold for the work. In recent years, for a fire detector at a high place, in order to remove or attach the detector body to / from the detector base, it has been considered to use a drone such as a multicopter (Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 2, the detachment / attachment device is raised by the drone to below the detector base, and the detector base is fixed to the detachment / attachment device of the drone by sandwiching the detector base at the coupling part of the detachment / attachment device. Then, by rotating the engagement part, the detector body is detached / attached to / from the detector base in the same manner as detaching / attaching by hand of a person.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0005] The attachment / detachment device described in Patent Document 2 has a complex structure because the coupling part clamps the side of the sensor base, and a mechanism is also required to generate the clamping force and the force to rotate the sensor body. As a result, the attachment / detachment device becomes large. In addition, the sides of sensor bases are often short in the vertical direction, making it difficult to secure a drone by clamping such sensor bases.

[0006] The present invention aims to easily attach a sensor body to a sensor base installed at a high location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A fire detector according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a detector base and a detector body detachably attached to the detector base, wherein the detector base has an electromagnet and the detector body has a permanent magnet, and when the detector body approaches the detector base, an electric current flows through the electromagnet, causing it to attract the permanent magnet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This invention makes it possible to easily attach the sensor body to a sensor base installed at a high location. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the detector base and detector body in the smoke detector of Example 1. [Figure 2] Side view of the drone used in the smoke detector of Example 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the situation in which the smoke detector body of Example 1 is transported by a drone. [Figure 4] A vertical cross-sectional view of the smoke detector of Embodiment 1, in which the detector body is mounted on the detector base. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the situation in which the smoke detector body is carried by the mounting rod in the smoke detector of Example 1. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the situation in which the smoke detector body is transported by a drone in Example 2. [Figure 7] A figure showing a modified example of Example 2 using a 2D code. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes an embodiment in which a fire detector is mounted on a horizontal ceiling, and the directional relationships, such as vertical, are described as if it were mounted on a horizontal ceiling. However, the fire detector may also be mounted on a sloped ceiling or wall. When mounted on a sloped ceiling or wall, the directional relationships will be in accordance with the sloped ceiling or wall. In addition, in this embodiment, a smoke detector is given as an example of a fire detector, but the fire detector may be other types of fire detectors, such as heat detectors or flame detectors. [Examples]

[0011] Figure 1 shows the detector body 11 and detector base 12 of the smoke detector 1 of Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, but the electromagnet 123 is shown in a side view. The detector body 11 is detachable from the detector base 12. In Figure 1, the detector base 12 is attached to a ceiling panel C with an opening H, and the detector body 11 is shown separately from the detector base 12.

[0012] The detector body 11 includes a control device 111, a smoke detection unit 112, a permanent magnet 113, and a guide ring 114. The permanent magnet 113 is located near the center of the upper surface of the detector body 11. The guide ring 114 surrounds the outside of the permanent magnet 113 on the upper surface of the detector body 11. The control device 111 has a CPU and memory. In Embodiment 1, the upper surface of the permanent magnet 113 is located slightly below the top of the guide ring 114 and is the north pole. The lower side of the permanent magnet 113 is the south pole. The guide ring 114 widens towards the top on the inside, and its inner surface expands upwards.

[0013] The sensor base 12 comprises a control device 121, a switch 122, an electromagnet 123, and an RFID reader 124. The electromagnet 123 has an iron core 123a around which a coil 123b is wound, and is located in the center of the sensor base 12, protruding downwards. The control device 121 has a CPU and memory. The coil 123b is connected to the switch 122. The switch 122 and the RFID reader 124 are connected to the control device 121. The control device 121 controls the switch 122 to supply current to the coil 123b. The RFID reader 124 is a short-range communication device.

[0014] The detector base 12 is wired from the opening H onto the ceiling panel C and connected to a fire alarm receiver (not shown), etc. The detector base 12 also receives power from above the ceiling panel C via power wiring (not shown). When the detector body 11 is attached to the detector base 12, terminals (not shown) are connected. Then, the smoke detection unit 112 monitors for smoke, and when smoke is detected, a detection signal is transmitted to the fire alarm receiver via the detector base 12 and detection wire (not shown).

[0015] The guide ring 114 of the sensor body 11 widens towards the top on the inside, and its inner surface expands upwards. Therefore, even if the permanent magnet 113 shifts laterally when the sensor body 11 is attached to the sensor base 12, the lower surface of the electromagnet 123 is guided to the upper surface of the permanent magnet 113. In Embodiment 1, the longitudinal cross-section of the inner surface of the guide ring 114 is curved, but it may also be straight, and the inner surface may expand upwards like the side of a truncated cone.

[0016] Figure 2 shows a side view of the drone 2 used in the smoke detector 1 of Example 1. The drone 2 is a sensor body carrier that carries the sensor body 11. The drone 2 has a platform 22 for accommodating the sensor body 11 above the approximate center of the drone body 21. Although Figure 2 is a side view, the platform 22 is shown in a longitudinal section. An RFID attachment portion 221 is provided at an end of the platform 22, and an RFID 23 can be attached to the RFID attachment portion 221. A plurality of propellers 24 are connected to the drone body 21, and the drone 2 is of a multi-copter type. Although two propellers 24 are schematically shown in Figure 2, four or more propellers are used in a general multi-copter type. The drone 2 is movable in three-dimensional directions by controlling the rotation of each propeller 24 with a controller (not shown) operated by an operator.

[0017] Figure 3 shows a situation where the sensor body 11 is carried by the drone 2 in the smoke detector 1 of Example 1. Although Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, the electromagnet 123 is shown in a side view. The sensor body 11 is accommodated in the platform 22 of the drone 2. Figure 3 shows a state of attaching the sensor body 11 to the sensor base 12, and shows a state where the drone 2 is approaching the sensor base 12 provided on the ceiling plate C. An RFID 23 with an attachment cord for attaching the sensor body 11 to the sensor base 12 is attached to the RFID attachment portion 221 of the platform 22.

[0018] When the drone 2 rises near the sensor base 12 and the RFID 23 of the drone 2 approaches the RFID reader 124 of the sensor base 12, the RFID reader 124 acquires the mounting code of the RFID 23 and sends it to the control device 121 shown in FIG. 1. The control device 121 to which the mounting code is sent closes the switch 122 and sends current through the coil 123b of the electromagnet 123. The switch 122 can send current in both forward and reverse directions by control. When the mounting code is sent, it sends current in the forward direction to make the lower part of the electromagnet 123 the S pole. At this time, the permanent magnet 113 with the upper part near the lower part of the electromagnet 123 being the N pole is strongly attracted to the electromagnet 123. Then, the inner surface of the induction ring 114 that expands upward inside abuts against the periphery below the electromagnet 123, and the sensor body 11 moves until the upper surface of the permanent magnet 113 contacts the lower surface of the electromagnet 123.

[0019] When the upper surface of the permanent magnet 113 contacts the lower surface of the electromagnet 123, the terminals of the sensor body 11 and the sensor base 12 are connected, and it becomes possible to send the smoke detection information detected by the smoke detection unit 112 of the sensor body 11 to the sensor base 12. Also, the connection of the terminals of the sensor body 11 and the sensor base 12 is detected by the control device 121 that monitors the current flowing through the terminals. When the control device 121 detects the connection, it opens the switch 122 and ends the current supply to the coil 123b. After the current supply ends, the permanent magnet 113 is attracted by magnetic force to the iron core 123a of the electromagnet 123, and the state where the sensor body 11 is attached to the sensor base 12 is maintained. When the drone 2 descends, the sensor body 11 separates from the loading platform 22 and the attachment of the sensor body 11 to the sensor base 12 ends. FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoke detector 1 of Embodiment 1 where the sensor body 1 is attached to the sensor base 12. The electromagnet 123 is shown on the side. The permanent magnet 113 is attracted by magnetic force to the iron core 123a of the electromagnet 123. In the state of FIG. 4, the smoke detector 1 monitors for fires caused by smoke.

[0020] When removing the sensor body 11, the RFID 23 is replaced with one bearing the removal code. When the drone 2, with its cargo bed 22 empty, approaches the smoke detector 1, and the RFID 23 approaches the RFID reader 124 close enough for the sensor body 11 to enter the cargo bed 22 when detached, the RFID reader 124 acquires the removal code from the RFID 23. The RFID reader 124 then sends the removal code to the control device 121 shown in Figure 1. Upon receiving the removal code, the control device 121 closes the switch 122 to temporarily supply current to the coil 123b in the opposite direction to when it was attached. Due to the reverse current, the bottom of the electromagnet 123 becomes the north pole. As a result, the bottom surface of the electromagnet 123 repels the north pole of the permanent magnet 113, causing the sensor body 11 to separate and detach from the sensor base 12.

[0021] In Example 1, the cargo bed 22 has an internal space that is approximately the same as the sensor body 11. However, when removing the sensor body 11, it may be replaced with a cargo bed that has a larger internal space to make it easier to receive the sensor body 11. Alternatively, the cargo bed 22 may be made somewhat larger and used for both installation and removal. In these cases, the recess in the cargo bed 22 may be made larger, or the cargo bed 22 may be made larger by adding a cover or the like to prevent it from falling.

[0022] Because the drone 2 moves laterally by tilting its entire body in the direction of travel, it is difficult to guide the sensor body 11 located at the top to the correct position and attach it to the sensor base 12. However, in Embodiment 1, when the sensor body 11 approaches the sensor base 12, the electromagnet 123 strongly attracts the permanent magnet 113, making it easy to attach the sensor body 11 to the sensor base 12.

[0023] The sensor body transport device for the sensor body 11 is not limited to the drone 2; other sensor body transport devices may also be used. Figure 5 shows the situation in the smoke detector 1 of Embodiment 1, where the sensor body 11 is being transported by the mounting rod 3. The mounting rod 3 is the sensor body transport device. Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, but the electromagnet 123, arm 33, connecting fitting 34, and support rod 35 are shown in side view. The mounting rod 3 has a platform 31, arm 33, connecting fitting 34, and support rod 35. The platform 31 is attached to both ends of the U-shaped arm 33 by connecting fittings 34, and the angle between the platform 31 and the arm 33 can be changed. The arm 33 is attached to the tip of the support rod 35. An RFID 32 is attached to the RFID mounting part 311 of the platform 31. In Figure 5, the sensor body 11 is housed on the platform 31. By holding the support rod 35, the worker can lift the sensor body 11 to the position of the sensor base 12.

[0024] Depending on whether the sensor body 11 is being attached or removed, the RFID 32 with the attachment code and the RFID 32 with the removal code are exchanged. When the loading platform 31 is lifted by the attachment rod 3 to be close to the sensor base 12 and the RFID 32 approaches the RFID reader 124, the RFID reader 124 acquires the attachment code and removal code of the RFID 32 and sends them to the control device 121 shown in Figure 1. Then, as in the case of the drone 2 described above, the sensor body 11 can be attached or removed. [Examples]

[0025] In Example 2, instead of determining the approach of the sensor body transport device using RFID as in Example 1, the approach of the sensor body transport device is determined by an image captured by a camera. Figure 6 shows the situation in which the smoke detector 4 of Example 2 is transported by the drone 5. Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, but the electromagnet 423 is shown in a side view. The drone 5 has a drone body 51, a cargo bed 52, and propellers 53, similar to the drone 2 shown in Figure 2. However, RFID is not attached to the cargo bed 52.

[0026] The smoke detector 4 of Embodiment 2 has a detector body 41 and a detector base 42. The detector body 41 is detachable from the detector base 42. A camera 424 is mounted on the detector base 42. The detector base 42 has a control device 421, a switch 422, and an electromagnet 423, the electromagnet 423 having a coil 423b wound around an iron core 423a. The switch 422 and the camera 424 are connected to the control device 421.

[0027] The image captured by the camera 424 is recognized by the control device 421. The control device 421 functions as an image recognition device. When the control device 421 determines that the drone 5 equipped with the sensor body 41 is approaching, it temporarily closes the switch 422, allowing a forward current to flow through the coil 423b, and the electromagnet 423 temporarily strongly attracts the permanent magnet 413. The permanent magnet 413, in contact with the iron core 423a of the electromagnet 423, is attracted by magnetic force, and the sensor body 41 remains attached to the sensor base 42 even after the current stops flowing through the coil 423b.

[0028] Furthermore, when the control device 421 determines through image recognition that a drone 5 without the sensor body 41 is approaching, it temporarily supplies a reverse current to the coil 423b, causing the electromagnet 423 to temporarily repel the permanent magnet 413, separating the sensor body 41 from the sensor base 42 and detaching it. In Embodiment 2, the current to the electromagnet 423 is controlled based on the results of the image recognition device, the control device 421, recognizing the image captured by the camera 424.

[0029] In the smoke detector 4 of Example 2, the camera 424 is exposed on the outside of the detector body 41 when the detector body 41 is attached to the detector base 42. Therefore, the camera 424 can also be used for security purposes.

[0030] In Example 2, the presence or absence of the sensor body 41 was recognized by image recognition, but a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) may also be used. Figure 7 shows a modified example of Example 2 using a two-dimensional code. Figure 7 is also a longitudinal cross-sectional view, but the electromagnet 423 is shown from the side. In Figure 7, a two-dimensional code 521 is provided in a position hidden by the sensor body 41 on the cargo bed 52, and another two-dimensional code 415 is provided on the top surface of the sensor body 41.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7, when the sensor unit 41 is mounted on the cargo bed 52 of the drone 5, the control device 421 recognizes the 2D code 415 provided on the top surface of the sensor unit 41 using the image from the camera 424 when the drone 5 approaches the sensor unit 41. The electromagnet 423 then temporarily and strongly attracts the permanent magnet 413, guiding the sensor unit 41 to the connection position of the sensor base 42.

[0032] On the other hand, if the sensor unit 41 is not mounted on the cargo bed 52 of the drone 5, when the drone 5 approaches, the control device 421 recognizes the 2D code 521 installed inside the cargo bed 52 using the image from the camera 424. Then, it passes a current in the opposite direction through the coil 423b, causing the electromagnet 423 and the permanent magnet 413 to repel each other. As a result, the sensor unit 41 falls into the cargo bed 52.

[0033] In this case as well, the current to the electromagnet 423 is controlled based on the results of the image recognition device 421, which recognizes the image captured by the camera 424. Furthermore, the size of the cargo bed 52 can be increased, or a fall prevention net can be installed around the cargo bed 52 to prevent the sensor unit 41 from falling outside the cargo bed 52.

[0034] Furthermore, instead of the camera 424 in Example 2 shown in Figure 6, a proximity sensor such as a ToF sensor can be used. In the example of a fire detector using a ToF sensor, the sensor base 42 in Figure 6 is configured by replacing the camera 424 with a ToF sensor. The detector body is the same as the detector body 41 in Example 2. In this modified example, the reference numerals in Figure 6 will be used for explanation. In a fire detector using a ToF sensor, the electromagnet 123 is controlled when an object such as a drone 2 approaches. When a nearby object is detected, the control device 421 of the detector base 42 determines whether or not power can be supplied to the detector body 41. If power cannot be supplied, the detector body 41 is not present, so a forward current is passed through the coil 423b of the electromagnet 423, which attracts the permanent magnet 413, as if to install the detector body 41. If power can be supplied to the detector body 41, a current is passed through the coil 423b of the electromagnet 423 in the opposite direction to when it was installed, as if to remove the detector body 41.

[0035] Since fire detectors that use drones 2 or similar equipment for installation and removal are installed at high places, the detector body 41 will not fall due to false detection of objects. However, to further ensure that the detector body 41 does not fall, the switch for the power supply source to the electromagnet 423 can be installed in a location that can be operated by the worker. The switch is turned on by the worker only when installing or removing the detector body 41, enabling the supply of power to the electromagnet 423. As a result, no current flows to the electromagnet 423 when not installing or removing it, and the permanent magnet 413 remains attached to the iron core 423a.

[0036] The smoke detectors 1 and 4 in Examples 1 and 2 are examples of fire detectors, and they may also be fire detectors that detect other fire phenomena such as heat. In Example 1, RFID was used for short-range communication, but other short-range communication methods may be used. In addition, in the modified example of Example 2, the 2D code 521 on the cargo bed 52 may be omitted, and the approach of the drone 5 may be determined by image recognition using the 2D code 415 on the detector body, and the presence or absence of the 2D code 415 may be used to determine whether to attach or remove the detector body 41.

[0037] Furthermore, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. In addition, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purpose and configuration. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] C ceiling board, H opening, 1 Smoke detector, 11 Detector body, 111 Control device, 112 Smoke detection unit, 113 Permanent magnet, 114 Induction ring, 12 Detector base, 121 Control device, 122 Switch, 123 Electromagnet, 123a Iron core, 123b Coil, 124 RFID reader, 2 Drone, 21 Drone body, 22 Cargo bed, 221 RFID mounting part, 23 RFID, 24 Propeller, 3 Mounting rod, 31 Loading platform, 311 RFID mounting section, 32 RFID, 33 Arm, 34 Connecting fitting, 35 Support rod, 4 Smoke detector, 41 Detector body, 411 Control device, 412 Smoke detection unit, 413 Permanent magnet, 414 Induction ring, 415 2D code, 42 Detector base, 421 Control device, 422 Switch, 423 Electromagnet, 423a Iron core, 423b Coil, 424 Camera, 5 Drone, 51 Drone body, 52 Cargo bed, 521 2D code, 53 Propeller

Claims

1. Detector base and, A sensor body that is detachably attached to the sensor base, Equipped with, The sensor base has an electromagnet, and the sensor body has a permanent magnet. A fire detector characterized in that when the detector body approaches the detector base, an electric current flows through the electromagnet, causing it to attract the permanent magnet.

2. The electromagnet has an iron core, The fire detector according to claim 1, characterized in that when the detector body is attached to the detector base, the permanent magnet is attracted to the iron core.

3. A fire detector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a current is passed through the electromagnet in the opposite direction to the direction of attraction with the permanent magnet, causing the electromagnet and the permanent magnet to repel each other, and the detector body can be removed from the detector base.

4. The fire detector according to claim 3, characterized in that the detector base controls the current of the electromagnet by short-range communication from the detector body transport device of the detector body.

5. The aforementioned sensor base is equipped with a camera and an image recognition device. The fire detector according to claim 3, characterized in that the current of the electromagnet is controlled based on the result of the image captured by the camera being recognized by the image recognition device.

6. The aforementioned sensor base is equipped with a proximity sensor, The fire detector according to claim 3, characterized in that the proximity sensor controls the current of the electromagnet when it detects the approach of an object.

Images